Proper Way to Mount a Vise

[BD1]

Slightly off topic, but he already LOVES being outside with me. He will grab my 2 oz ball pein or a screwdriver or a pair of channel locks and go to town walking all over the shop "fixing" things. I don't like him playing with the screwdrivers though, they make me nervous. I'm going to get him a mini anvil so he can "forge" with daddy.

He already runs my drill press. A mini drill press, of course.

CUTE ! He needs STEEL TOE SANDALS !

 

[OpFlash]

nice job on the vice resto. makes me want to take a look at mine again and see what brand it is and give it a nice paint job like yours!

 

[Brian.Evans]

Haha. Steel toe sandals. That's awesome. I swear he has a steel skull, as many times as he's fallen. My boy is going to grow up doing the right thing regarding safety.

My grandpa and dad both wore glasses while grinding, most of the time. We wore ear muffs while mowing the yard. I want to change the culture of safety in my house to include safety gear everytime, all the time.

Opflash, you should! Here's the thread detailing my complete resto: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149645

 

[Jagmandave]

It all depends on what you're gonna do with it, but I don't see a problem with bolting it to a good solid bench like that, especially if it's tied into the walls.

I doubt you need the metal tho, I'd save that for another project.

I have my 6" Wilton mounted to my metal bench, and I have a smaller 4" Craftsman mounted to my wood bench - both work just fine.

 

[Mikie O.]

How did the bench turn out? I know this thread is over a year old but I ended up reading the whole thing with no pay off. Lol. If you read this, nice resto BTW

 

[DFFECHSWU]

I've read this post with some interest as I recently purchased a new bench vise. It's a Craftsman 51988 4.5" professional vise model. My workbench is very basic as it only has 4X4 posts with 2X4 frames and plywood tops.

Would it be appropriate to drill vertically through the 2X4 to mount the vise? The concern I have is that the mounting holes are 1/2" diameter, which leaves only 1/2" wood on either side to support the vise on 3 of the 4 holes. I can support the 4th mounting hole by adding other another 2X4 or plywood underneath. I also thought about adding another 2X4 around the frame and essentially drilling the holes between two points at which the two 2X4s contact.

Any input or suggestions would be appreciated. I'm good with building another workbench if that's the only viable option.

 

[Outlawmws]

For where your vise is mounting, and on what, I'd pilot drill and use lag bolts into the 2x4s since at least one will go into the 4X4 post.

Is your bench lagged into the wall? it won't be very stable for heavy use without that or some "shear wall" panels on the bench at least

 

[DFFECHSWU]

Thank you for your input. The bench isn't currently anchored to the wall. To be honest, the vise is probably overkill for my needs. There won't be any 'heavy lifting' on it ... for now. Ideally, it should have a wider footprint to be more stable.

I thought about the lag bolt into the 4X4, but if I do that, I have to shift the vise back ~2". That would move the static jaw back accordingly and it wouldn't align with the vertical face of the bench, if that makes sense. I'll see where I can shift it, but I may be resigned to making a more functional work bench. I need one that has 2" overhang in order to more securely fasten at least 3 of the 4 bolts.

 

[Cope]

Thank you for your input. The bench isn't currently anchored to the wall. To be honest, the vise is probably overkill for my needs. There won't be any 'heavy lifting' on it ... for now. Ideally, it should have a wider footprint to be more stable.

I thought about the lag bolt into the 4X4, but if I do that, I have to shift the vise back ~2". That would move the static jaw back accordingly and it wouldn't align with the vertical face of the bench, if that makes sense. I'll see where I can shift it, but I may be resigned to making a more functional work bench. I need one that has 2" overhang in order to more securely fasten at least 3 of the 4 bolts.

Unless you are left handed, I would recommend mounting the vise on the right side of the bench.

 

[DFFECHSWU]

Thanks, I never thought of the right vs. left thing. I'm right handed but always placed vises to the left, since most of the work I'd do on the bench is to the right and closer to other things I'd need. I didn't want to be moving around a vise frequently. Either way, I'll have to think this over.

 

[Cope]

Thanks, I never thought of the right vs. left thing. I'm right handed but always placed vises to the left, since most of the work I'd do on the bench is to the right and closer to other things I'd need. I didn't want to be moving around a vise frequently. Either way, I'll have to think this over.

Much easier to hacksaw a piece of stock if you can cut over the edge of the bench. For most other work it could be mounted anywhere.

 

[rick carpenter]

My workbench is long and narrow, 18" x 14', with a deep flat front apron. The apron is there because I thought initially I'd do some woodworking on it too, but I haven't and it's not really "comfortable" cozying up to it. I made a laminated tongue (two layers 3/4" plywood + one top 1/8" cast iron plate) that is 8" x 21" which cantilevers my 3-1/2" Craftsman 506 51800 vise off the bench because there's not much bench top depth and I have **** up on the wall over it. I have big fender washers underneath. I don't do anything heavy duty on it, so it has worked really well for me.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4054338&highlight=vise+craftsman#post4054338

 

[Aeroman]

I think there is some very good ad-vise here!

One thing that hasn't been discussed too much is hardware. After going to all that trouble to restore your vise, don't cheap out on your mounting hardware. Get some nice Grade 8 or better bolts, nuts and washers.

Yeah...those Grade 2 (or worse) in the main bin at the hardware store would probably work...but better hardware jazzes up your vise a bit.

I had some Delta 325 flange bolts (kind of similar to Grade 8) and used them along with some heavy nuts. BTW...My workbench top is 1 1/2" hard maple. I'd disagree a bit with some of the previous comments about needing a metal work bench to mount it to. I'm a big guy and I can't apply enough torque with the vise handle to cause any issues with this setup. And, after all the work of restoring the vise, I don't think I want to use a cheater on it anyway.

Phil

where did you find a maple top like that?

 

[Robinson1]

My dad/grandpa's main bench is close the same age and is 2x6 topped. It has seen a LOT of work over the years, but has never had the top boards replaced. I doubt I'll use my bench for a third of what his has been used for.

I've got one workbenches floored with 2x6s. It's always got paint and glue on it but when it gets too dirty I just run over it with a belt sander. Instant new clean bench top!

Another bench I use mostly for an assembly table I floored with 7/16 OSB slick side up. That was a mistake. But easily corrected if I ever get around to replacing the top